Column printing attachment for record controlled machines



y 1951 N. cum-i5 2,550,786

COLUMN PRINTING ATTACHMENT FOR RECORD CONTROLLED MACHINES Filed Feb. 15, 1947 ag 7 @3313; (Q'

Patented May 1, 19251 UNITED OFFICE COLUMN PRINTING ATTACHMENT FOR RECORD CONTROLLED MACHINES Lloyd N. Curtis, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 13, 1947, Serial No. 728,365

2 Claims.

- This invention relates to improvements in record controlled machines or tabulators and more particularly to printing mechanism for such machines.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a column-printing attachment for such machines, U capable of being selectively mounted thereonto print a vertical line between any two adjacent columns of characters being printed on the record sheet without interfering with the normal printing operations of such machines. By using one or more of my attachments the many characters being printed can be segregated into different columnar groups for more ready visible reference, as occasion may require.

' The device of my invention is especially designed for use on record controlled machines or tabulators now in general use, such as disclosed in United States Patents Nos. 1,867,026 and In carrying out my invention I provide one or more attachments-each consisting of a plate cut to proper shape and arranged to be'fitted be tween any adjacent pair of type head elements and their-respective type hammers, in'p'osition'to be inovedintoand out of printing engagement at'the'pri'nting line, by a moving part of the machine which operates in timed relation to, but independently of, the type head elements and their respective hammers. proved attachments can be employed at one or more selected points to produce a substantially continuous vertical column marking or markings as the characters are being printed on the record sheet. The invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1' is a vertical section of a portion of a printingmachine for which my column-printing attachment is designed, and showing said attachment mounted therein; Fig. 2-is a view of a portion of the machin as viewed from the left in Fig. 1;

I Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of my columnprinting attachment, and

Fig. 4 is-a fragmentary perspective view 'showing the manner in which the column-printing attachment is mounted in the machine.

Referring now to details of the embodimentof my invention illustrated in the drawings, Figs. 1-

I improved column-printing attachment or insert-'- As a result, my imactuated to its initial latched position.

This printing mechanism includes the usual platen I0 and a number of vertically movable type bar assemblies'including type'heads I2 each carrying a plurality of type elements I3 for printing different numerals or letters, in a manner well known with tabulating machines of this kind.

Associated with each of the type heads I3 is a type hammer I5 operated by a spring IE, but normally restrained by a hammer latch I! from being forced into contact with a head of a type ele ment at the printing line. The hammers l5 are relatched after each operation by means of a" bail or bar 2% mounted on a shaft 2i, which bar extends the full length of the platen so as to return all of the hammers released during each printing cycle into re-latching position ready for the next printing cycle.

During the first part of each printing cycle the relatching bar 2!! is moved forwardly a sufiicient distance to permit those type hammers which are to be actuated, to swing forwardly into striking position when they are unlatch-ed. Said re-latching bar thereafter swings rearward-v ly to return each type hammer which has been The means for operating the re-latching bar 20 and the hammers I5 in timed relation with the type heads I2 may consist of mechanisms which are .well known in machines of this type, and arenot shown in detailherein as they form no part of the present invention.

Tabulating machines of the type contemplated usually have a horizontally extending bar 22 fixed along and above the type hammers I5 alon r the lookout position, shown in Figure 1, wherein one or more levers 25 ,are held against their respective spring latches 23." 7

Between the shaft 21 and the bar 22 is a fixed rod or shaft Z'Ion which a bail 28 carrying the hammer-operating springs IE, I6 is usually mounted.

As will be seen from Fig. 2, the individual type heads I2 and theirrespective type hammers; I5 are customarily disposed in parallel, slightly spaced relation to each-other. along the plateni I make use of the spaces provided in this manner for the insertion of my novel column-printing attachments, as will now be described.

Each column-printing attachment 39 consists of a plate of suitable sheet material, sufficiently thin to fit in the space between proximate type heads l2, but of sufficient strength to resist bending when in operation. In practice I find a thickness of .605 to .010 inch is permissiblefor this purpose. Any suitable material may be employed, such as spring steel or bronze, provided it is suificiently stiff to resist excessive bending.

As shown herein, each column-printing plate is cut or otherwise formed in then-general shape of the letter J lying on its side, that is to say, the plate includes a relatively wide verticaliy extending body portion 3i having a relatively short rearwardly projecting lip 32 at its bottom, and a longer rearwardly extending arm 'SS-atits top, terminating in an upwardly curved hook 34. The-widened bodyiport-ion 3i has a slightly arcuate printing surface 35 formed atits forward lower corner, which is adapted to be moved into printing position with respect to the platen H), as will presently appear. The rear portion of the plate 30 between the lower lip .32 and the lever arm 33 is cut away'so that the plate be inserted between adjacent type heads, wi the lower lip 32 hooked under the fixed rod 21 onthemachine. .The lever arm 33 may extend over the bar 22, and the hook ,34' at its end is preferably arranged to be fulcrumed loosely on a suitable crossbar, which for convenience may consist of the lookout bail 26 "when the latter swung to its normal lockout position as shown in Fig. 1.

Means may be provided for yieldingly urg n the printing plate or plates :30 downwardly into non-printing position shown in Fig. .3. As shown herein, such means mayconsist of a bail 3'l pivotedat opposite ends of the machine frame, and adapted to rest by gravity on the lever arms of any printing plate or plates 3.!) whichmay be inserted in the .machine at any given time.

:The use andjoperation of the printing plate attachments above described may now he set forth as follows:

A printing plate'fi is inserted as just described above, in any space between adjacent type heads l2, 12 where it is desired to reproduce a vertical column on the printed sheet as the printing proceeds. Several such columnar printing plates may be employed simultaneously at different points, if desired.

At the beginning of each printing cycle of the machine, the type heads 12 are moved upward y by the usual automatic record-controlled mechanism to position their respective type elements I 3 in the proper printing position relative to the platen iii. The re-latch-ing bail 2Q is also rocked forward to provide operating clearance for the type hammers t5. As the re-latching bail 2fi'moves forwardly, it engages the rearward lips '32 of each printing plate .36 to swing the latter forwardly and upwardly about the fulcrum provided by theengagement of hooks about the lockout bail .26. This movement of the plate 3.5 causes the respective printing sur faces 3.5 thereof to be swung upwardly toward printing position against the type ribbon ,of the machine, as indicated indotted lines in Fig. 3.

It may be further explained at-this point that the friction set upbetween the type heads and the opposite sides of .each plate may also be,

employed to advantage in the operation of my column-printing insert devices.

For example, it will be seen that the initial upward movement of the type heads l2, l2 tends to swing the widened front portions 3| of printing plates 30 upwardly toward their printing position due to frictional engagement therewith, even before the re-latching bail 20 engages the lip 32 on said plates.

As each printing surface 35 is swung upwardly toward the platen, the upper portion of said surface may tend to engage the type ribbon initially with a wiping action, but in the preferred arrangement shown, the hook 34 on lever arm 33 is loosely fulcrumed on lockout bail 25 sothat the final printing movement of the curved printing surface 35 toward the platen is not effected by the re-latch bail 23 until the printing surface -35 has been swung upwardly to a position where it is substantially concentric with the platen. In this manner, a substantially con tinuous columnar line'is producedon the printed sheet at any desired point between adjacent normal spacings of the type heads.

The friction between the type heads l2 and the printing plates previously mentioned also tends to return said plates to their normaLnonprinting position during the downward orreturn movement of said type heads, thus supplementing the action of the bail 37, or other means em ployed for this purpose. Accordingly I;find that the thickness of the printing plates and the amount of warping or bending permissible in said plates, are not especially critical to the operation of my insertattachments, provided the amount of friction developed is maintained with reasonable limits. 7

On the other hand, it should be noted that it is not essential to make use of friction for the functioning of my printing inserts, since they will be actuated by the re-latch bail 28 even though there is not sufiicient friction to assist in their movement.

It will now be understood that while the column printing plates 3 i! are operated in timed relation'with the type heads t2 and their respective type-hammers, they are actuated by a different part of the mechanism, namely, the type hammer resetting bail 20, so that there is no interference with the normalprinting operations of the machine at any time. Moreoven-the printin tachment. plates canheinserted or removedpractically instantaneously at any desired point with out requiring anyreadiustmentof any'operating parts ofthe machine. I

Although lhave. shown {and described a certain embodiment of my invention it will be under stood that I do-not wish .to be limited to the exact construction shown and described, but that various changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. .A columneprinting attachment for tabulating machines of the kindhavingzaplaten, aseries of type heads and type hammersand a rerlatching bail for said hammers, said printing attachment consisting of. athinplate for insertion between proximate type heads, said late having a lever arm for extending in rocking engagement with an abutment disposed on the machine above the path of movement of said re-latching bail, and also having a lower portion in position for actuation-by said re-latching bail, to move the front edge .of said plate into printing position- 5 relative to said platen during each printing cycle of said machine, said plate being of such thickness as to be frictionally engaged by the type heads on the machine to effect rocking movement of said plate toward and away from its printing position.

2. A column-printing attachment for tabulating machines of the kind. having a platen, a series of type heads and type hammers and a relatching bail for said hammers, said printing attaehment consisting of a thin plate for insertion between proximate type heads, said plate having a lever arm for extending in loosely fulcrumed engagement with an abutment disposed on the machine above the path of movement of said re-latching bail, and also having a lower portion in the path of movement of said re-latching bail, said plate being of such thickness as to be frictionally engaged by the type heads on the machine to efiect rocking movement of said plate toward its printing position before it is engaged by said re-latching bail for printing movement toward the platen.

LLOYD N. CURTIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,763,699 Green June 17, 1930 1,808,257 Rottke June 2, 1931 1,944,675 Tauschek Jan. 23, 1934 1,968,386 Gubelman July 31, 1934 2,093,529 Tauschek Sept. 21, 1937 2,131,918 Mills Oct. 4, 1938 2,416,707 Metzner Mar. 4, 1947 2,431,043 Jackson Nov. 18, 1947 

